The Sakal Times Couture Weekend (SCW) Season 1, held in the city last week, was one ‘high on fashion and glamour’ event. A host of fashionistas and socialites gathered at Amanora, The Fern Hotels & Club, Hadapsar to attend it. Over the three days of SCW, one could see stunning collections of clothes and jewellery by leading names in the industry and also interact with the designers at the happening after-parties.
The lavish affair saw the footfall of women of substance like Moushmi Zaveri Sanas, Bobby Karnani, Seema Singh and Chahat Dalal amongst others
‘MAKEUP SHOULD LOOK NATURAL’
Leena Khandekar, director, Lee’s Beauty Centre and Spa and coiffure and makeup partner at Sakal Times Couture Weekend, talks about working for a fashion show
While the models were sashaying on the ramp in the best of attires with perfect hairstyle and makeup, Leena Khandekar was gearing up for the next show in the makeup room and briefing her team how they should create the look for the models. Khandekar, director, Lee’s Beauty Centre and Spa also runs Lee’s Beauty and Spa Training Institute. She was the coiffure and makeup partner at Sakal Times Couture Weekend and is an integral part of almost every event that Sakal Media Group organises. While congratulating Sakal Media Group for organising such an excellent fashion weekend, she said, “This is just the first season and I am sure they will go on to do hundred more seasons of SCW in the years to come.”
Khandekar informed that her association with Sakal Media Group is more than a decade long. “Although I have done many fashion shows in the past, collaborating for Sakal Times Couture Weekend is really exciting. This platform is giving us the opportunity to work with some very excellent designers like Ritu Kumar, Babita Malkani, Neeru’s and others. Both for me and my team, it is an excellent opportunity to learn and share, exchange ideas and create some great looks,” she said.
Talking about working on the looks created for the show, Khandekar said that she and her team tried to create different and unique looks for the models for each show. “The feedback that we have received is so overwhelming. In fact, the celebrities have also appreciated our efforts and creativity which boosts our confidence. My team and I were in touch with the designers 10-15 days prior to the show to understand what their collection is about, their philosophy behind the designs etc. They shared different looks with us over WhatsApp and based on their collections and what the models were going to wear, we did the makeup and hair. It was a collaborative process where ideas from the designers and their requirements were taken into consideration,” said the skin and hair expert.
According to Khandekar, makeup should always be minimalistic. “The makeup shouldn’t look like a mask. The key is to make it look natural and yet use corrective measures like concealing, contouring and highlights to enhance one’s beauty and features. Makeup is an art and sticking to the right proportion is essential,” she said.
The vision of the designers and the creativity of the makeup artists go hand in hand, she observed. “It is a very responsible job. If the outfits are great but the makeup isn’t appropriate, the whole show will be spoilt and vice versa,” she concluded.
I REALLY HOPE SAKAL TIMES COUTURE WEEKEND HAPPENS EVERY YEAR
I would love to congratulate Sakal Times for always being so innovative and I am also very happy that Pune has its own couture weekend organised by Sakal Times. I really hope Sakal Times Couture Weekend happens every year.
My vision for FICCI FLO as the chairperson for the year (2019-20), is going to be based on the work that I do through my foundation — Mukul Madhav Foundation. We work with the rural sector to upgrade health, sanitation and water conservation. What we wish to do through all the members of the group and executive committee is to take our vision of ‘urban to rural’ forward and ensure that we, being from the urban space, support the rural areas in these areas. At our inaugural event, we had actor Shilpa Shetty launching her app and she was delighted to see Pune’s crowd. We have many more such events planned in those areas.
Women for Women is a great concept. We have seen many women bringing accolades to our society and country.
— Ritu Chhabria, co-founder, managing Trustee Mukul Madhav Foundation (MMF) and director, Finolex Industries Limited established Mukul Madhav Foundation
LADIES SPECIAL
Bobby Karnani, one of the first women to join Sakal Platinum Women’s Club, shares her thoughts on being a part of the platform
Bobby Karnani, founder president and admin, Viman Nagar Women’s Club (VNWC), a social media interactive platform, where women can discuss and update events happening in or around the area, couldn’t contain her excitement when we chatted her up during the Sakal Times Couture Weekend, the three-day fashion extravaganza held between May 17 and 19 at Amanora, The Fern Hotels & Club, Hadapsar.
Karnani, who is now a member of Sakal Platinum Women’s Club, feels that the introduction of the club is an amazing step towards bringing like-minded women together and providing them a platform to empower each other.
Dressed in a green one shoulder gown, Karnani looked overwhelmed while receiving the membership card on the stage on Day 1 of the Couture Weekend. “Sakal Media Group needs no introduction and Sakal Times Couture Weekend is just another feather added to their cap. I am extremely delighted that a platform like Sakal Platinum Women’s Club has been formed for the women of Pune. The club is a great initiative to bring the cream of Pune together on a single platform,” an elated Karnani said.
The Club aims at catering to the women of today who will enjoy special privileges, lifestyle benefits, extravagant travel experiences, irresistible offers and exclusive event invitations etc through the membership. “I am glad to be a part of this platform because it will help us in exchange of ideas. I feel we must welcome this initiative with open arms. I express my heartfelt gratitude and happiness to Sakal Media Group for creating the platform on behalf of the entire VNWC team,” Karnani said.
Pics: M Fahim, Jignesh Mistry, Raj Bole, Srinivas Iyer, Smita Sil, Mandar Salunke, Gaurav Deshpande, Sumit Shinde
